Rionna Morgan with Patricia Gligor

Patricia Gligor

Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling, especially to the ocean. Mixed Messages, the first novel in her Malone Mystery Series, was published in April 2012 by Post Mortem Press. Unfinished Business is the second novel in the series.

What is the Ultimate Dream Vacation?

I’m in the pool in Cabo, lying on a float, gazing out at the sun shimmering over the Pacific Ocean. I look up, to my left, and marvel at the majestic cliffs, watching the seagulls soar to their heights. When I close my eyes, I can hear two waiters conversing in Spanish at the pool bar and the distant music as the mariachi band practices for their dinner performance. I reach into the water and splash some on my legs. It cools my burning skin. I’m floating . . . .

That’s actually something I experienced a few years ago when a friend and I went to Mexico. It’s also a scene in Mixed Messages, the first novel in my Malone mystery series. One of my characters in the book is doing exactly what I do; she’s using a visualization technique to try to relax. I love water, especially the ocean. Years ago, I promised myself that, whenever I could, I would take a trip to the ocean because: She said the ocean gave her something that nothing else could: a sense of peace and serenity; that she felt closer to God there than anywhere else. This is how Marnie, another character in the series, feels about the ocean. I feel the same way.

My love for the ocean partially explains why my trip to Cabo was the ultimate vacation for me but why wouldn’t I have felt the same way when I went to Cape Cod, Wilmington, North Carolina or Navarre Beach, Florida? Those were just a few of the many trips I’ve taken to the ocean. Here’s an excerpt from Unfinished Business, the second novel in my series, which was published last month. Like my main character, Ann, and her sister, I too love Fripp Island.

She visualized the ocean and the beautiful beaches on the postcards her sister had sent her, especially the ones of Fripp Island, South Carolina. Marnie was constantly trying to persuade Ann and the kids to come down for a visit; she said they had an open invitation. One of these days, Ann thought, I’m going to take her up on it. I’ll walk barefoot along the water’s edge and sink my toes into the cool, soft sand. I’ll watch the pelicans fly and listen to the seagulls . . . .

So, what was different about my trip to Mexico? Why do I consider it the ultimate vacation? Because Mexico is Latin American and I love everything Latin American. I love the people, the language, the culture, the food and the music. I love the bright colors in their art, their decorating and their crafts. To have all of that and the ocean too was like Heaven to me. In fact, it was the first and only time that I came home from a vacation and actually felt homesick – not for home, for Mexico. Needless to say, I dream of going back there again some day!

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The Westwood Strangler is dead. Or so everyone believes.

Ann Kern is busy preparing for her favorite holiday. She’s especially looking forward to her sister’s annual Christmas visit. But, several things threaten to ruin her festive mood.

The National Weather Service issues a severe winter storm warning for the Cincinnati area, predicting blizzard conditions, and Ann worries that her sister and her new boyfriend won’t be able to make the drive from South Carolina.

Then, a woman is found strangled in Ann’s neighborhood and everyone, including the police, assumes it’s the work of a copycat killer. However, when two more women are murdered in their homes, the police announce their conviction that the Westwood Strangler is responsible.

When Ann hears the news, the sense of safety and security she’s worked so hard to recapture since her attack on Halloween night, shatters. If the intruder who died in her apartment wasn’t the Westwood Strangler, who is? And, who will be the next victim?

Links:

Blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

Patricia Gligor’s Amazon page:

http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4

Giveaway: 

At the end of the blog tour, I will be giving away one copy of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone mystery series. Leave a comment and you’re automatically entered to win. Please include your email address with your comment so that, if your name is selected, I may contact you to get your mailing address. The winner will be announced on my blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/ on December 11. Best of luck!